Turkish men wear miniskirts for campaign

Turkish men are posting images of themselves wearing miniskirts on social media to combat violence against women and to highlight the tragic case of Ozgecan Aslan, who was murdered after resisting an attempted rape.

Photos are being uploaded using the hashtag #ozgecanicinminietekgiy, which roughly translates as “wear a miniskirt for Ozgecan”.

The Facebook page supporting the campaign argues that if a miniskirt is responsible for sending an “invitation” for what will happen to women, then men will also send that same invitation, and that a woman’s dress is no excuse for rape.

Aslan died on 11 February 2015 after reportedly trying to fend off a bus driver who attempted to rape her. Aslan’s body was eventually discovered in a riverbed.

Aslan’s tragic case and the photos have sparked debate in Turkey, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calling violence against women in the country a “bleeding wound”.

The movement has received global support from people such as Emma Watson.

Since the murder, may demonstrations have been held in Turkey, with some men marching in miniskirts. Some have argued that this is the first time that womens’ rights have been so transparently discussed in Turkey.